[§201H-7] Housing research. [Section effective July 1, 2006.] (a) The administration may study the plans of any government in relation to the problem of clearing, replanning, or reconstructing an area in which unsafe or unsanitary public dwelling or public housing conditions exist.
(b) The administration may purchase materials for the development of land and the construction of dwelling units in the manner it concludes to be most conducive to lower costs, including purchase from other states or from foreign countries for drop shipment in the State or on cost-plus contracts for materials with persons or firms doing business in the State, or otherwise.
(c) The administration may conduct, or cause to be conducted, research on housing needs, materials, design, or technology, and apply the findings of the investigation to housing projects, including the following:
(1) Sociocultural investigation of housing and community utilization, preferences, or needs of residents within the housing need classification of the housing functional plan;
(2) Development of technology for the application of innovative building systems or materials, to provide energy or resource conservation or cost savings in the construction or operation of a housing project;
(3) Investigation of the applicability of locally-produced building materials and systems to dwelling unit construction;
(4) Investigation of new forms of project construction, maintenance, operation, financing, or ownership, involving tenants, homeowners, financing agencies, and others; or
(5) Other necessary or appropriate research that may lower the long-term costs of housing, conserve resources, or create communities best suited to the needs of residents.
(d) In the development and construction of a housing project, the administration may provide for an on-the-job training program or other projects as it may deem justifiable, including innovative projects to develop a larger qualified work force in the State. [L 2005, c 196, pt of §20]